Written question asked by David Kidney (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 September 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 October 2003. It was answered by Baroness Jowell (Labour) on Tuesday, 14 October 2003 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Dept for Culture Media and Sport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what arrangements she made for (a) access by US citizens to the US Embassy and (b) access to Grosvenor Square by members of the public offering their condolences on 11th September when the Square was closed.

Answer: Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what arrangements she made for (a) access by US citizens to the US Embassy and (b) access to Grosvenor Square by members of the public offering their condolences on 11 September when the Square was closed. [131412] Tessa Jowell: My Department liaised closely with the US Embassy throughout the organisation of this event and access to the Embassy was available on 11 September 2003. The opening of the garden was a ticket-only event for the families of the UK victims. It would not have been appropriate to allow other members of the public to participate in this very private moment. Furthermore, permitting members of the public to access the site on the day of the event would have compromised the extremely tight security which was required for such a high profile event.

Secondary information